President Barry Corey expounds on Biola's homosexuality stance in family discussion

This morning’s “family discussion” in the last chapel of the semester saw president Barry Corey addressing the conversation on homosexuality and promising it will continue in the upcoming school year. Corey opened with personal stories, touching on his own experience with discussing homosexuality, and the experiences of students who struggle with same-sex attraction.

“I’m here today to say, though this may be hard for some to believe, that we all stand together as persons created in God’s image, and we all kneel together as broken persons who need God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ,” Corey said.

Intentional conversation will continue next year

Corey reiterated the promises made in his letter to facilitate ongoing conversation over the next year.

“In the coming year, we’ll be having intentional moments to discuss and be educated on all matters of sexual identity,” Corey said.

These moments will focus on biblically robust and culturally applicable truths, he explained.

“I’ve heard enough statements from the [Biola Queer] Underground, and above the ground, to know that this conversation is alive, and it is also wide-ranging in opinion,” Corey said.

The discussion surrounding homosexuality, especially online, often results in the trading of Bible verses without context, which Corey sees as a human-centered reading of Scripture. Additionally, he mentioned that the callousness often seen in online discussion is detrimental for good conversation. It is critical that discussions bear in mind the work of Christ throughout Scripture, he continued.

Grace and truth key factors in aiding discussion

Corey explained what sorts of conversations he’s heard already, with campus and outside media, saying he will not tolerate hateful comments.

Corey made it clear he believes all Christians are called to chastity — by remaining pure until marriage and faithful after — and that all discussion of sexuality should center around the idea of surrendering all sinful desires.

“Students, this is not a political issue. It’s an issue in every area of our life to submit our desires that are morally in contradiction to God’s design as articulated in Scripture, whether it’s my desires of opposite-sex attraction, or my brother’s or sister’s desires of same-sex attraction,” he said.

Students react to chapel talk

Sophomore Mary Kate Reynolds, an English major, said she agreed with Corey’s talk, but she would have appreciated a more intricate look at homosexuality and marriage.

“I wanted him to clarify how if you are a homosexual, you can’t have that sexual expression within marriage, so I did kind of want more specificity on how he saw that, but I assume it will come up in the next year,” she said.

Freshman Bible major Jack Franicevich appreciated the reminder to balance grace and truth, noting the importance for students.

“You can come out of a Bible class with a bunch of knowledge you can thump on people … but if you can marry that with grace as well, without sacrificing truth … that’s the ultimate challenge, that’s what makes Christians the ultimate light,” he said.

No plans to expel or condone students with same-sex attraction

Corey also noted two extreme responses he has heard, one side calling for expulsion of students who experience same-sex attraction, the other side calling for policy revision approving intimate same-sex relationships. Biola will not fall into either of these two camps, he said.

Biola will, however, continue to walk alongside those struggling with same-sex attraction, in a loving and prayerful way, Corey said. The university will continue to seek to determine how to create a safe space for students to continue the discussion.

“We recognize that Biola’s position may not satisfy those in the LGBTQ community,” he said.

But, in order to remain committed to what he believes to be truth, Corey said he is willing to live with this level of disagreement.

A call to conform to live in God's truth

“We are not touting a political agenda. We are sincerely striving to look at the entirety of God’s word and the history of his people as [it] relates to human sexuality, and we’re standing on a conviction that to be faithful disciples, we are called to conform our lives to God’s truth,” Corey said.

“We are not going to accommodate a relative reading of Scripture to fit increasingly accepted ethical or moral norms. In particular, we don’t need to modernize or bend our biblically based position on sexual ethics.”

Joy C.

While I generally disagree with what he said, I was most disappointed that transgender and gender non-conforming issues were entirely ignored. He only addressed the LGB in LGBTQ. May 18, 2012

April

Sometimes the greatest gift we can give each other is not our opinions, but simply our willingness to keep the conversation going.

As a follower of Christ, I am wrestling myself with the intricacies of this super charged hot topic and I am striving to find grace and love where judgement once stood.

As an alumni, I am very proud of the way Dr. Corey handled this topic. We should all be bold enough to stay in conversation and lead with grace. May 18, 2012

Nicole

I thought he handled the issue remarkably well--he was gracious, truthful, tactful. I think he showed that he is not holding his position in a close-minded, small-souled kind of way, but rather in an honest, humble manner, grounded in the firm conviction that Scripture really communicates such a position as true.

He also stressed the essential link between grace and truth: that we are not being gracious toward others--we are not truly caring for them--if we have no robust commitment to the truth of the matter. People need to be wedded with truth to be well--though it might not be sufficient, knowing the truth is necessary for our health and well-being. It has become fashionable to drive a wedge between the two--the division is inappropriate and misguided.

Also, we should not be dissatisfied with the lack of detail spent exploring the intricacies of the conversation--he was not trying to jump into and/or settle the discussion--he was simply giving a proper start to it: he made clear his awareness of the situation, his position on the matter, the heart behind his position, as well as the way in which the university will proceed in light of these things.

On the whole, I think he did well--especially given the fact that this is literally the end of the semester. May 18, 2012

Jacq

Two points: what about the intersexed people? Folks exist who genetically do not fit in the male or female box. They are in fact born that way, and some do not know this until they get married and have reproductive issues? Mathew 19:1-12 speaks of those born as eunichs. Medicine knows of these conditions but can fix the outward appearance making a person's exterior conform to male or female. During the times of Christ, this was not the case, and the intersexed were known to exist and were born that way. And they were not condemned. Is it not possible that the modern conservative Christian view is the view that conforms, not to Jesus but to man's cultural bias, and not the other way around? The text of the bible did not originally contain the term homosexual but had terms meaning male temple prostitutes which we have translated to homosexual. Should we not simply follow Jesus' words and not those of a mistranslated Paul? Many of those in LGBTQ are of intersexed condition, or are in fact born that way. The middle east has always had the concept of a third sex. Perhaps it is the conservative reading of the bible that is bowing to the pressures of conforming to man's erroneous interpretation of the bible. If gays are born that way, then what is the proper response? May 19, 2012

Jacq

Second point: what if sex is not a sin. The sin is in having sex whith someone when you have sworn marriage fidelity to another. In other words, isn't it adultery that is the sin and not the sex per se. Did not Jesus defend the unmarried woman who had sex with men, and tell the crowd not to stone her because they are not without sin. And isn't divorce much more condemned because if you get a divorce for any reason other than your spouse's sexual unfaithfulness. I mean isn't divorce actually the sin condemned in mathew 19:1-13, and not sexual minorities. Jesus seems ok with the eunichs, which may very well have been slang for males who are not attracted to women, and not ... Just asking. Jesus doesn't seem to condemn those people who were sexual minorities in his time. He seems to be defending women, and mothers in particular making divorce and abandoned single motherhood a greater evil. May 19, 2012

jerry lewis

biola is a school that brutalizes gay people and their relationships. Note to Barry the bigot--1)gay is not a "lifestyle,"--it's not like choosing clothing--this is a powerful linguistic weapon used to dehumanize people. 2)nearly no gay people "struggle with same sex attraction." What we struggle with is hatred pointed against us and vulgar and obscene obstacles put in our way to block gay relationships.

How many gay teens must die of suicide before you listen? May 19, 2012

Arlin Edmondson

Jerry Lewis,

When you call our President, who is well respected among us, 'Barry the Bigot', do you not make yourself the vulgar and obscene obstacle?

Do you not dehumanize? Do you not 'hate'?

When you say: 'how many teens must die of suicide', do you you not use 'linguistic weapons'?

The word 'community' refers to a 'lifestyle'. If you are part of the so-called 'LGB' community, are you not living a style of life different than those outside that 'community'?

As for your statement that 'nearly no gay person "struggles" with same sex attraction.'

This may be true outside the Church; but within the Church, at least when we are consistent, we face our sins and fight them. We resist indulging them, and we seek to bear one another's burdens.

JacQ, your post is so riddled with both historical, textual, and linguistic confusion as to be incredibly tedious to refute:

1) Arsenokoites refers to the action of 'men who lay with men as with a woman'. It is a conflation of the phrases from the Septuagint in Lev. 18:22 and 20:13.

'Malakos' may refer to a male-prostitute, but that etymology is debatable. None of the more 'classical' words for male-prostitutes or paedophiles or the like are used in the New Testament.

That is it. Every sinful use of sexuality falls in the latter category. That is the Biblical sexual ethic. Hebrews 13. Genesis 1-2.

3) Jesus told the woman 'caught in adultery' to 'go and sin no more'. He did not accept her sin. He rebuked the hypocrites, then he exhorted her to repentance.More importantly, that passage is not original and exists in none of the earliest or most trustworthy manuscripts. It is spurious.

4) Your speculations about 'eunuchs' and those who have androgynous features is just that: speculation. We are not talking about such things. You are throwing out a red herring. May 20, 2012

Lorend

Arlin Edmondson,I do not know you, but I am proud of you. It makes me proud to be a Biola Alum when I see credible and validating support, along with critical thinking and evaluating of comments related to the issue. Thank you for sharing. May 22, 2012

J.R.K

Come on people...

Sin is sin whether your heterosexuality or homosexual. The context of sex outside marriage is a problem for both parties. Not just for the gays but for Bob and Betty alike.

Chew on this...You don't join the military thinking that you're not going to use military force someday in your military career. What's the use of all that basic training? Likewise we don't come to BIOLA thinking that we're not going to use biblical tools and TRUTHs God has given us here as we strengthen and grow our faith. What's the use of all that biblical training?

We live in a depraved and perverted time. We are full of confusion and contradictions. The world is suggesting that our Faith and God's TRUTH is moot. This is the time where we truly need to depend on God's word and not on the wisdom of (wo)man. This is the time where we need to shine bright instead of fading to gray. Stand up Christian! Straighten out that back of yours! Be proud that you know the difference between right and wrong because someone is looking for truth. Someone is looking for a better answer, are you willing to bring it to the world?

They say, "it gets better..."

But with Christ, it's nothing but the Best!

May 22, 2012

Arlin Edmondson

A presentation by a 'homosexual christian' named Matthew Vines was posted on a Chimes article in defence of the 'BIOLA Underground'.

Vines argues that homosexual behaviour is morally neutral and the Bible has nothing to say about 'loving homosexual relationships'.

Vines is wrong on almost all scholarly, historical, factual, lexical, linguistic, and theological levels.

I am posting an extensive point by point scholarly response to Vines' presentation. This is an extensive and scholarly response by Doctor James White to the presentation.

The refutation INCLUDES the full audio presentation by Matthew Vines along with a point by point response. It is long and extensive, so don't listen all at once.

http://aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=5086

If you do not want to listen to the podcast,Doctor White co-authored a book on the topic as well:

Doug Sloan

Homosexuals exist - they are born the way they are, it is not a choice. There is no psychiatric, medical, or scientific basis for viewing homosexuality as pathological. In lay terms, there is no objective basis for viewing homosexuality as “sick” or "abnormal". Consequently, this means that homosexuality as a sexual orientation is normal and healthy. Increasingly, research shows hetreosexuality and homosexuality to be distant points on a spectrum of sexual orientation.

There is no rational basis for opposing homosexuality. Without a rational basis, opposition to homosexuality is irrational and, therefore, is a prejudice. Being prejudiced is not being Christian. Prejudiced-base discrimination against people is not constitutional.

I support the legalization of gay marriage because I reject all forms of discrimination against people for being who they inescapably are. Being gay is a biological fact of life that crosses all racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious boundaries. In 2003, we struck down laws that made homosexuality a crime. Earlier, In 1967, we struck down laws outlawing inter-racial marriages, and it is high time we do the same for people of the same sex who love each other and want to participate in the benefits offered married couples. As for those who believe only a man and woman should marry, no one is forcing you to marry a person of the same sex. We only hope that you find the same love and respect in your relationship, as thousands of same sex couples will find in their relationships. Love is all that matters, not the color of your skin, not your religious beliefs, and not your sexual orientation." May 24, 2012

Bob--Ohio Vietnam war vet

I'm not gay, but I know people who are and the ones I know are more honest and moral than a bunch of so-called "Christians" I've had to deal with in my life. As to the controversy at Biola, I would say this. WHERE are the school prohibitions against heterosexual unmarried sex? Are they the same? If a student is married and is caught committing adultery, would the school initiate expulsion? I find a high level of hypocrisy with a lot of Christians. They single out one behavior for ridicule and then conveniently ignore the much, much bigger behavior that is condemned in the Bible. Case in point is adultery versus gay behavior. My suspicion is that the adultery is winked at because it is widespread in the Christian community and country. What's the divorce rate among Christians? Very high, isn't it?

So, why doesn't Biola and everyone else (think Republicans), stop sticking their noses into people's sex lives? In my view, the A #1 prohibition in the Bible is, "Thou shalt not kill." Why isn't Biola and the rest of the Christian community nationwide having rallies and sermons against these illegal wars the U.S. keeps getting into? WHY aren't the Christian ministers condemning these wars and the massive level of killing from the pulpit? What do I hear from them? SILENCE. So, keep up the hypocrisy, Biola, and maybe potential students will see that the narrow-mindedness which exists there is a good reason to go somewhere else. I could cite the outrageous behavior written about in the Old Testament (Ex: 2 Kings and the she-bears eating the children incident!), but that's for another day. May 24, 2012

Tina VanGorder-McMurry

As a Christian I cheer for those who are gay and going, or have gone, to BIOLA. When will you stop being so afraid of the truth and realize that God created us all EQUALLY. Dr. Jack Rogers states it succinctly in his book covering 3 subjects, "Jesus, the Bible and Homosexuality". I can name off a list of people who are in ministry and glorifying God everyday and are also gay. While married, my husband graduated from BIOLA as a Greek Textural Criticism major and was sought after by many seminaries for his talent in the area. We have made incredible strides in textual criticism along with scientific facts placing more and more light on the subject of interpretation. AND YET, how many people still cling to what was believed then, we were there during the 60's, and totally ignore the growth of knowledge since then on this subject. God will not abide His Word being twisted an manipulated to fit the hatred of men. I consider these students true warriors for God. May 24, 2012

Wayne Wilson

I am concerned that Biola seems to assume a "struggle" with this particular sin on the part of individuals who have banded together to make it acceptable. They are not struggling with thir broken sexuality; they are struggling against the Word of God. They have abandoned the struggle against sin, and seek only to win others over to their cause of full acceptance of homosexual conduct. "Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?" Isn't this what this group is counting on?

What other group banded together for the purpose of promoting a sin would Biola tolerate? My guess is not one. Why is this one being treated differently? Is the fact that it is being treated differently already a sign of compromising God's truth? May 24, 2012

Scott Leigh

In the end this is all about the Bible. The rainbow crowd must borrow liberal approaches to interpretation that ignore the normal interpretive rules so that their prejudiced stance can somehow be biblically defended. The immoral judgments in society about sodomy and its sexual variations have their source in the Bible. Groups seeking to validate their deviant sensuality from a Christian perspective as has been attempted here must begin a non-ending debate about the Bible and seek to throw around enough cliches till they can make try to make it stick on the wall, like 'That's your interpretation but I choose...' or 'The Bible has so many translations which one should we believe...' or 'That's what they thought in the 1st century but now we think...' Answer? II Tim. 4:2-4 "2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." May 24, 2012

P in Iowa

When is abomination not abomination? When the subject of sinful behavior touches upon the practice of homosexuality, apparently.

Homosexuality is not what someone is. It is what they do. I may be tempted to lust after a woman who is not my wife. I am not an adulterer unless I accept the notion or act on it. And I do not have to act on it. I have a choice. God gave me the choice. Only His law dictates that the choice to entertain the temptation and/or to act on it is sin. Just because I am tempted, or feel an urge, or have a compulsion to act in a certain way does not excuse sin. Many feelings are detestable and should be denied. Why is this such a difficult principle for people to understand? Either God has a standard, or He is not God.As for Christians who want to practice homosexual behavior, how do you counsel Christians who are strongly attracted to children sexually? To Christians who lust after material wealth? To Christians who just can't help having sex with a different partner as often as they want? Perhaps Christianity should evolve on these issues as well.Thank God He never changes. You know, sometimes sin is just sin. That's all I have to say. May 25, 2012

pat curling

The word of GOD has not changed America where are the people of the Most High God in your country to stand up for the principles of GOD Almighty. Your country has been brought under the hand of God for what your president has done... watch and see all the things that will be happening in your country from now on. America you need to bow your knees to the one true God,and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ . May 25, 2012

passerby

Blah, blah, blah. Paragraph after paragraph of discussion, to no purpose. There's nothing to discuss, the other side already knows it is in the wrong.

If Biola had the slightest shred of integrity left, the statement by the President of the University would read approximately thus:

"We know for certain, that faith in Christ is intrisically irreconcilable with homosexuality. This is eternally settled doctrine which will never, no, not ever, be up for review or discussion. Indeed, given the perfect clarity of God's will on the matter, any subsequent discussion or dialogue would be plain act of sin and rebellion.

We are aware that a certain subset of Christians experience homosexual temptations. For any student who needs spiritual assistance in resisting or overcoming homosexual temptations (as with any other temptations) we offer our heartfelt prayers and our spiritual counselling and support services. However, all spiritual, emotional and institutional support is contingent on the prior recognition that homosexuality is a sin, with which no Christian accomodation can ultimately be made.

The LGBTQ underground is clearly at odds with this unchangeable Christian position. They seek to normalize homosexual practice while maintaining a pretense of Christian faith. This cannot be tolerated under any circumstances whatsoever. Any student, faculty, or staff of Biola, who is discovered to be a member of this underground, or to be giving them aid and comfort, will be immediately and irreversibly terminated.

This policy is final." May 25, 2012

RED

Very well said Passerby

We cannot let the culture white wash the sin of homosexuality, compromise always leads to deep sin. Biola needs to stand firm on this issue. We need to fervently pray for Biola's staff, pray they do not cave to political correctness at the expense of truth. May 28, 2012

Glenn Logan

@ Jerry Leiws, What you hate is the word of God. This hate comes out of you like venom, the attacking and name calling all because you hate and disagree with anyone who chooses to believe, trust, and obey the Bible. This is a christian school founded and based upon the word of God, and it has every right to remain that way without having others force their beliefs and non biblical lifestyles upon it. This issue is addressed and settled in the Bible. If you choose not to believe the Bible that is your choice. For those of us that choose to believe, allow us to make that choice without people like yourself choosing to hate us because we do so. May 28, 2012

Sam

I was not present at this chapel as I am an alumn. However, I heard one of the best testimonies and perspective from Christian speaker Sy Rogers. He is a former homosexual who now has a ministry in the area of sexual healing. ALL sexual healing. He was phenomenal and in my opinion many Christians could benefit from hearing him.

http://syrogers.com/Sy_Rogers_Biography.html May 29, 2012

Jason

You know satan said, "if you are the Son of God then throw yourself down....but Jesus said,"it is written. Then satan said "if..." and Jesus said, "it is written" then satan said, "if..." and Jesus said it is written. I guess you can see the pattern of this because it is the same pattern in this blog and the LGBT blog for that matter.

One pastor said it well. He said, "we will either let the bible change us or we will try to change the bible.

By the way Arlen, stellar posts!!!! June 1, 2012

Susie Bennett

@ Glen LoganPlease be careful what you say. It's okay to disagree, but please do so respectfully. It's not okay to attack the genuineness of a person's faith over a theological disagreement. (I could cite a TON of scripture to support this statement, but I don't have an entire week to sit here copying scripture verses!) Jerry Lewis is absolutely right: Words CAN kill. June 4, 2012

Diane

RE: being "born that way":I was born a sinner & have been saved by grace through Jesus' blood on the cross. But I was DEFINITELY "born that way" & needed redemption. June 13, 2012

camstradamus

have your faith.... but leave people alone who don't share your opinions.... whether they be about other religions, lifestyles, or life choices.there is nothing worse than religious people who impose their values on others. if you don't care for gays the best thing is to think it.. and keep your mouth shut.also the idea that gay people are 'sinners' is wrong... in fact a sin in itself... if you truly believe that we are all god's children.and this idea that if people are not of your faith they will rot in hell is beyond absurd... it's ridiculous.

don't any of you question these beliefs???cam. June 13, 2012

Passerby

<i>have your faith.... but leave people alone who don't share your opinions.... whether they be about other religions, lifestyles, or life choices.</i>

Fine. You do the same. Biola is a CHRISTIAN institution, and homosexuality is forbidden in Christianity. If you don't like it, <b>leave Biola alone</b> and go to a nonChristian college instead. There are plenty to choose from.

Ah, but the radical sodomites will never do that, will they? They will never tolerate the permanent existence of any institution that tells them that they are wrong. Which is why Christians have been forced, much against their will, into a DEFENSIVE culture war against militant homosexuality. June 13, 2012

Marie

President Corey handled the issue very well and I support and respect him very much! He is a wonderful president and servant of the Lord and the University. Love you all!

God Bless. June 14, 2012

Robert

Susie, it is not at all clear from Jerry Lewis' post that he believes himself to be a Christian. In fact, looking at it from an objective point of view, it seems quite clear that the multiple assumptions that underlie his post are clearly anti-biblical, rather than simply pro-gay. At the very least, he is an incredibly confused person who comes to some radical conclusions if he does claim to also believe the Word of God. I'm sort of tired of people confusing niceness with grace. These are not the same thing. June 15, 2012

unsonEscoclog

You can read the June 18, 2012

Anna

To Camstradamus:

I think you are slightly missing the point of this discussion. This is not about forcing our beliefs down anyone's throat, not is it about asking nonbelievers to try to swallow something they aren't sure of. The students that are a part of Underground go to Biola, which in order to attend you must sign a statement of faith. In other words, you are professing a religion, a faith in Jesus Christ. This discussion, which I believe Dr. Barry Corey handled very well, and will continue to handle well, is a discussion among supposed same-faith peoples. If they profess to believe in the God of the Bible, they must take all that the Bible has to say as truth. They want to make Biola go back on it's beliefs and support something that the Bible does not support. And no one said, especially in what Dr. Corey said, that we as Christians do not care for gays. In fact, that is the exact opposite of his point. Christ calls all of us to love and accept every human being because they are made in the image of God. The Bible is very clear about sin. How it originated, why is occurs, and why we are separated from God. A careful, scholarly, and truthful reading of the Bible makes sin and hell make sense. Of course we question, but all the answers are provided for us. And of course, there is that thing called faith.

Also, opinions and faith are two different things. Faith is how you live and what you live for, opinions are ideas and thoughts formulated in our minds about how WE think things should be. Faith is taking God's word on how HE says things should be.

In General: All in all, I am relieved about how Dr. Corey handled the situation. I am glad that he was open and loving but still adamant about his own faith and the integrity of the University. How can the integrity of Biola be in question when they are refusing to compromise their belief set and standing firm in what the Bible says? I'm sure there will be more discussions after this and I just pray that everyone can handle this situation with the heart of Christ. Christ loved the law and was zealous for His Father and his Father's house, but he also loved people unconditionally and without condemnation. I pray that the students of Biola can mirror this example in the next year, in which Dr. Corey promised this conversation would be continued. June 20, 2012

Dan Willson

There is a pious, paranoid flavor to those who say. "If you don't like it, go away." "There are other non-Christian places to go to school." "You don't belong."

Christianity shouldn't be an exclusive and comfy country club. If it bothers you, it's probably important to keep talking. If you don't like other views, you should probably hear more.

Don't be a pile of salt. Start listening. And stop with the pat answers. Too many Christians only accept the Bible and church and anything outside of that is tainted. They use that as an excuse to switch off the brain and blather platitudes without using their God-given sense of hearing.

Gay Christians are forced to confront the topics of faith, sexuality and sin more than non-gay Christians. It's a hard journey, but one that makes us stronger if we are able to withstand the spiritual violence that is inflicted every Sunday. Too many, do not survive that unloving alienation.

Gay Christians are hated for being gay and Christian (see above).

Christ knows how we feel.

And to the President of Biola, I don't call you a bigot. I don't know you, and you don't know me. But I do know that changing the policy at Biola is not extreme. I know of one Biolan who committed suicide because of the extreme policy in place.

Letting gay Christians attend Biola would be an enlightened, graceful and rational move.

It also happens to be the will of God. July 24, 2012

Elizabeth

Camstradamus-

May God shine His light on us and lead us.

God be merciful to me, a sinner.

You said that the idea that gay people are sinners is wrong. Actually, what Pres. Corey indicates is our common sinfulness, all of us, and our need for forgiveness and grace. The Chimes article-“I’m here today to say, though this may be hard for some to believe, that we all stand together as persons created in God’s image, and we all kneel together as broken persons who need God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ,”

I'm not a Bible scholar but read in scripture: we're all sinners; are all in need of Christ as our advocate and propitiation for our sin. The passage quoted (esp. v.v.9-10) is the call for all who are in Christ, walking in the Light, to love our brothers(sisters). The mark of Christ's followers is to love. As the discussion goes on, let's make sure we are not violating that. 1 John 1:5-2:11(ESV)5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Christ Our Advocate

2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

The New Commandment

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because[a] the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

August 11, 2012

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